Bilawal Kamran
In a historic moment that will be etched in the memory of every Pakistani, Arshad Nadeem made the nation swell with joy and pride. With a phenomenal throw of 92.7m in his second attempt, he not only clinched the top position but also set a new Olympic record, surpassing Andreas Thorkidsen’s 90.57m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This victory is a testament to the potential and talent that Pakistan possesses in the field of sports.
The defending champion and a crowd favorite, India’s Niraj Chopra, displayed an impressive performance with a throw of 89.45m, securing the second position. In a spectacular final round, Arshad’s javelin landed at 91.79m, solidifying his astonishing achievement. His stellar performance not only secured an individual Olympic gold medal for Pakistan but also marked the country’s first gold since 1984 when the hockey team claimed the prestigious medal.
In his characteristically humble manner, Arshad later shared with reporters, “It’s an amazing feeling to win Olympic gold. I’m thankful to Allah for giving me the fruit of my labor, and to all the people back home who prayed for me. I’ll try to do even better next time around.” He further expressed that his medal was an “Independence Day gift for the country.”
Arshad’s journey to victory gained momentum at the 2016 South Asian Games in India, where he won a bronze medal with a remarkable javelin throw of 78.33m. Despite facing setbacks at the previous Olympics in Tokyo, where his primary rival Chopra secured the gold, Arshad remained undeterred. Displaying resilience, he bounced back and went on to claim several accolades, crediting his success to hard work and his coach, Salman Butt. Salman’s guidance and support were instrumental in ensuring Arshad’s comeback was stronger and better.
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Unlike athletes from other countries who received robust support, Arshad faced a lack of assistance from the government or relevant sports bodies when it was most needed. It was only after Chopra intervened with a tweet requesting help for Arshad that he received a new spear and was subsequently sent to South Africa for a three-week training, ultimately contributing to his remarkable performance in Paris.
This extraordinary achievement by Arshad Nadeem brings to light the urgent need for our sporting establishment to shift its focus towards nurturing the talents of budding athletes from diverse fields. Countless young individuals, particularly from underprivileged sections of society, possess exceptional abilities that remain untapped due to limited resources, guidance, and training facilities. It’s high time we address this issue and provide the necessary support to our athletes.
Arshad Nadeem, alongside other extraordinary athletes, including prominent cricketers and hockey players, hails from such backgrounds. The provision of adequate funds and accessible training facilities can pave the way for many more stars to emerge, continually making our country proud. It is imperative that our sporting institutions prioritize the development of upcoming talent, fostering a legacy of unyielding achievement and national pride.
